Reports from the center group indicate that FPV drones were used in an engagement that resulted in damage to two American Abrams tanks. The claim was issued by the commander of the UAV reconnaissance and strike unit who goes by the call sign “Kolovrat,” with attribution to RIA News. The broadcaster characterized the events as significant, noting a calculated operation that leveraged aerial micro-drones to target heavily protected armor. [RIA News]
Kolovrat described the sequence of events as taking place on February 26, after a period of time during which flight operations extended over a considerable distance. The team observed a plume of smoke ahead while the tank column appeared to be moving at a moderate pace. Initial reactions from allied observers suggested uncertainty about the kind of technology being deployed. Upon approaching the target area, the unit verified the platform and the type of tank involved before confirming the engagement. [RIA News]
According to the commander, the attack involved strikes on the turret from an elevated angle, a tactic aimed at disabling primary aiming mechanisms and compromising crew survivability. The description emphasizes the use of altitude to exploit vulnerabilities in the tank’s defensive envelope and to maximize the potential impact of the drone-delivered payloads. [RIA News]
Earlier updates from Kolovrat indicated that the Russian Armed Forces achieved a notable result in the Northern Military District, marking what was described as the first instance of destroying an Abrams tank through two separate strikes. This assertion framed the incident as a turning point in the operational capability of unmanned aerial systems in armored engagements. [RIA News]
There was additional discussion about the proximity of the incident to a prominent diplomatic venue in Moscow, with speculation that the Abrams may have been recovered or relocated for containment and display. Observers suggested that for preservation and public display, a dedicated facility such as Patriot Park in the Moscow region would be more suitable than keeping the equipment at a temporary or incidental site. [RIA News]
In related reporting, the situation in the broader conflict was summarized with figures describing recent losses on the Ukrainian side during the week of hostilities, noting a substantial toll in personnel. The figures were presented as part of ongoing assessments of the human cost of the conflict as it unfolds across multiple fronts. [RIA News]